Just installed this morning. Toyota Matrix wheels 16x6.5 with 205/55R16 Continental ContiTouring Contact Fits perfect, slightly taller and wider than stock but not as much as the Scion TC wheels. Not a very "pimped out" look but different than all the other silver priuses on the road. I will try to post better pictures, with more angles, when I get a chance. (for some reason, I can't get to the photo galleries.) [attachmentid=5784] [attachmentid=5785] [attachmentid=5786]
Those Matrix wheels seem to work very well with other vehicles. I believe the Highlander uses a metallic finish version of that. Looks good! Anyone tried the 17" Matrix wheels? haha
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tumbleweed @ Nov 28 2006, 01:07 PM) [snapback]354906[/snapback]</div> Pretty close to the size of Touring wheels, (16x6). When it's time for tires, you should be able to fit stock Touring size tires (195/55/16) on there to get back to normal ride height and speedo calibration.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Danny @ Nov 28 2006, 01:47 PM) [snapback]354956[/snapback]</div> We can probably find some crappy-looking plastic covers for him to bump the mileage back up to something acceptable.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(picadog @ Nov 28 2006, 01:27 PM) [snapback]354890[/snapback]</div> Okay, stupid newbie questions: 1) It seems like online stores don't sell Prius wheels. (At least in the online selection tools stuff.) But a wheel for a Toyota Matrix works just fine on a Prius? (Specifically a 2006 since that's what I have.) So I could order something like 17" Matrix wheels and plop them on my Prius? 2) Does anyone know the maximum radius I could use on a Prius? (Well, without having to recalibrate.) 3) 6.5 is like the width of the tire right? So if I wanted more traction than that I'd get 7 or 7.5 or something, right? 4) Can anyone be so kind as to explain what the heck the tire size numbers actually mean and how they relate to the rim size and all that? 5) What is it about different wheels that would reduce MPG? Their weight? That they're not solid covers and let air slip in? Wider tires lose more energy because they have more grip(friction)? Something else entirely? Sorry if I'm being annoying, but I hate the look of the stock Prius wheels and would like better traction too. P.S. Is it wrong to want wheels that look like KITT's from Knight Rider? P.P.S. Is it even more wrong to want to put the flashy LED's in the front grill like KITT had? (Yes, I know it's illegal and I won't do it ... but I want to. It'd be funny to make a Prius version of KITT. )
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Nov 28 2006, 09:53 PM) [snapback]355125[/snapback]</div> I'm a believer that form follows function and would love to find out where I could get some of those crappy-looking plastic covers that would bump up my mpg. Where do I find them?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Silver Phoenix @ Dec 8 2006, 02:02 PM) [snapback]359509[/snapback]</div> 2. Most recommend a maximum of +2. So since ours come with the 15", 17" should work well. 3. On dry roads, yes 4. Let's use the stock tyre as an example. It's P185/65R15. P = passenger (usually dropped since it's assumed it's a passenger car tyre unless it has LT for light truck in front of the numbers). 185 is the tyre width in millimetres. 65 is the aspect ratio. This is, in percentage, the height of the sidewall of the tyre with respect to the width of the tyre. In this case, it's 65% of 185mm. R = radial, 15 is the size of the tyre in inches (measured in the inner rim I believe). 5. Weight can play a factor. Width too since you're increasing rolling resistance by having more rubber contact the road. Also, with a wider tyre, there is also air resistance that comes into play. Larger tyres have a larger surface area (from the centre of the wheel, outward). But then again, larger wheels close off the gap between the wheel and the fender... I would wager the type of tyre would play the biggest role (the tread pattern and width)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Silver Phoenix @ Dec 8 2006, 03:02 PM) [snapback]359509[/snapback]</div> Glad to know I'm not the only insane person out there who has had these thoughts... :lol:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MPG > HP @ Dec 21 2006, 07:22 PM) [snapback]365511[/snapback]</div> Not from me! I gave mine away the day I bought the car, and have been suffering my 55mpg ever since.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Dec 22 2006, 03:03 PM) [snapback]365770[/snapback]</div> To convert to inches, Divide the 185/25.4= 7.28" This is the width of the tire in inches. Multiply 7.28xAspect ratio(65% or .65)= sidewall height or 4.732" multiply sidewall height 4.732x2 add the wheel size 15" = 24.464 Total height wheel and tire in inches. Regards Todd
I know that this is an old thread but I did the same thing with my 07 Matrix wheels to see how they looked on my new 2010 Prius III. They look great but I was wondering what mpg impact others have noticed with a heavier wheel?
